Agger has been linked with a move away from the club having endured a difficult campaign last season - making only 16 Premier League starts - with Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel the preferred centre-back pairing.

The Denmark international, 29, made it clear at the end of the previous campaign that he is unwilling to play second fiddle at Anfied.

Despite this declaration from Agger, Rodgers remains keen to add to his defensive options with Southampton centre-half Dejan Lovren his top target.

And although eager to conclude a £20m deal for Lovren, the Reds boss took the opportunity, following a pre-season friendly defeat to Brondby, to reaffirm his desire to retain Agger for the forthcoming season.